Newtown Historical Society will host its annual Children’s Day at the Little Red Schoolhouse on the grounds of Middle Gate School, 7 Cold Spring Road, on Sunday, September 20, from noon to 2 pm.

Costumed docents will conduct classes inside the historic schoolhouse and offer recess activities on the lawn as well, for students from 5 to 10 years old. Recess will consist of such colonial games as Graces, Trundling a Hoop, Sack Races and a Tug of War.

Classes will begin promptly at 12:30 with each student creating his or her own hornbook, a small paddle-like device with the alphabet and perhaps a verse or two, often the first instrument for teaching Colonial children both reading and writing as the children would trace the letters on a transparent layer of cow’s horn covering the printed text. Activities within the schoolhouse will be offered rain or shine, while recess will be weather dependent.

The Little Red Schoolhouse was built in 1850, replacing an earlier 1753 building. It was located on the Newtown-Bridgeport Turnpike, modern Route 25, at Toll Gate Hill. The name Middle Gate arises from the fact that the location just north of the Monroe border was the middle one of the toll gates on the turnpike.

The building was moved to its present location in 1973 and is available for school tours as well as during the historical society’s annual open house “old school” demonstration.

Students will be able to experience the physical aspects of the school such as the wooden seating benches as well as hearing about the conduct of the school from Colonial days though most of the 19th Century.

There will be a $3 materials fee to cover the cost of the hornbook, payable at the event.

Registration is required by email at register@newtownhistory.org.